Bogard could hardly believe it, Yoriichi had already grasped the basics of Observation Haki. To verify, he asked Yoriichi to remove his blindfold, tried it on himself, and after confirming that it truly blocked all vision, walked over and carefully retied it over Yoriichi's eyes.
"Let's give it another go."
"Be ready."
An unexplainable competitive urge welled up in Bogard's chest. After securing the blindfold on Yoriichi, he raised his bamboo sword.
Soru!
In the blink of an eye, Bogard vanished from in front of Yoriichi. When he reappeared, he was already at Yoriichi's side, his bamboo sword silently descending toward Yoriichi's shoulder.
He avoided going behind Yoriichi, Bogard knew that some elite warriors had an uncanny sensitivity to attacks from the front and rear. Striking from the side, however, often caught them off guard.
Tap!
Just as Bogard moved, Yoriichi responded instantly. His bamboo blade caught Bogard's strike cleanly between its edges, and in the same fluid motion, he launched a counterattack—his foot rising in a sharp arc to strike at Bogard's waist.
Not only had Yoriichi anticipated the blow, he had pinpointed Bogard's location with startling accuracy.
Thud!
Caught off guard, Bogard didn't have time to react. Yoriichi's kick landed squarely, sending him sliding several meters before he regained his footing.
Yoriichi frowned slightly. That kick had felt like it struck solid iron. Bogard had reacted quickly, activating Tekkai (Iron Body) just before the impact.
"He really sensed it…"
Shock rippled through Bogard. He now had no doubts that Yoriichi could clearly track his movements. His surprise finally spilled over as he blurted out:
"You've trained in Observation Haki before?!"
Yoriichi shook his head. "I can feel your ki."
What Yoriichi referred to as "ki" was the combat aura from his original world—the world of Demon Slayer. Not the clichéd "Power Level: 3000" kind, but a refined spiritual energy.
In that world, every being had a combat aura. The stronger the person, the more vibrant their aura. Yoriichi, who had reached the realm of the Transparent World, could perceive this energy with clarity. Only those who had attained a selfless state could fully suppress it.
When Yoriichi had slain Muzan, the demon had failed to sense any aura from him, mistaking him for a mere mortal and scoffing with the same arrogance as a mountain bandit:
"Just a Pillar? I've long since lost interest in your kind."
But in the instant Yoriichi moved, Muzan realized it too late, how gravely he had miscalculated.
Worlds may differ, but some truths remain universal. Humans breathe. And the stronger they are, the more intense their presence becomes.
Standing before Yoriichi, Bogard was like a radiant star in the night sky—impossible to miss on this ship. Even the pair standing watch on the crow's nest shone like "sun and moon" in his perception.
"He can sense auras..."
Bogard didn't understand exactly what "ki" meant, but he got the gist—Yoriichi could detect something that allowed him to react to attacks and read movements.
Whatever it was, the current training was now meaningless.
Bogard wasn't sure if this counted as Observation Haki, but the fact remained—Yoriichi could track him. There was no point in continuing with these drills.
Now he felt a little lost. Skip Observation Haki and move on to Armament Haki? That seemed premature. He hadn't even figured out how to teach Armament Haki yet.
"Hahahahaha!"
"You never cease to surprise me!"
"Bogard, leave the next part to me."
A booming voice rang from behind him—Garp had arrived. Grinning ear to ear, he walked up to Yoriichi, clapped a massive hand on his shoulder, and praised him heartily.
Yoriichi took off the blindfold, smiling bashfully upon seeing Garp.
"Don't take it off yet," Garp laughed. "Training's not over!"
As he said this, Aokiji flinched instinctively, haunted by unpleasant memories. His eyelid twitched as he silently prayed for Yoriichi's safety.
"Kid, from now on, I'll be the one attacking. Try your best to dodge!"
As he spoke, the atmosphere around Garp shifted drastically. In Yoriichi's perception, Garp's vibrant combat aura vanished entirely.
!!!
Yoriichi reeled from the sudden change—and then, a gust of force slammed down on him.
The next instant, Garp's fist struck the top of Yoriichi's head with a resounding thump, nearly sending him sprawling.
So that was it. He wasn't using Observation Haki, he was merely reading an opponent's aura to anticipate attacks.
"The instinct of a swordsman, huh?"
Garp grinned knowingly. On this sea, some swordsmen could discern their opponent's movements purely through intent or bloodlust. But that wasn't true Observation Haki.
Advanced Observation Haki could blanket entire islands, like Rayleigh's. Or predict future actions seconds in advance, like Katakuri's.
Yoriichi's perception was different, fundamentally so.
"Heh... so that's how you sense your opponents."
"But that won't work on me."
"If you don't hurry up and truly master Observation Haki… you're in for a rough time!"
With a wicked grin, Garp suddenly appeared in front of Yoriichi and punched straight at his chest. The force of the incoming strike allowed Yoriichi to sense the direction just in time—he raised his bamboo sword in defense.
Crack!
The bamboo sword snapped on contact. Garp's fist slammed into Yoriichi's chest and sent him flying several meters across the deck.
Boom!
He hit the ground hard, prompting curious glances from nearby marines.
Yoriichi sprang up quickly. He'd activated Tekkai at the last second, but Garp's punch had still left his chest aching, a dull burn radiating with every breath.
"Oh, right."
"While you're learning Observation Haki, you'll be working on Armament Haki too."
"Armament Haki strengthens the body—makes it more resistant to damage."
"Come on. Use your senses to find the presence of Armament Haki in me. Learn it. Awaken your own."
"And then… take my punches head-on!"
"If you don't figure it out soon, you won't last long!"
Garp's fists clenched as he spoke, that same wild grin spreading across his face.
Even though Yoriichi knew Garp was holding back, the pain was intense. It had been a long time since he'd felt anything like this. Frankly, getting knocked out would've been kinder. But staying conscious through it? That was torture.
"So this is what it means to be one of the sea's strongest…"
"Even in battle, he can conceal his aura."
"To dodge his attacks, I'll need a different approach."
"Observation Haki. Armament Haki…"
"I will master them."
Tossing aside the broken bamboo sword, Yoriichi braced himself again. Whether or not he had a weapon no longer mattered.
Bang!
Thud!!
"Hahahaha! Come on, brat!"
"Is that your attack? Feels like a mosquito bite!"
On the deck, Garp's hearty laughter mingled with the constant sounds of Yoriichi hitting the floor.
Garp was thoroughly enjoying this "nurturing the youth through fists of love" kind of training. Meanwhile, Aokiji, after watching for a while, finally sighed and shook his head. He slipped below deck to find the ship's doctor and asked him to prepare medicine.
Bogard watched in silence, then quietly made his way to the engine room to take over command duties—so Garp could "focus on teaching."
By the afternoon, under Garp's merciless "guidance," Yoriichi had finally begun dodging some of the strikes. At the same time, he started sensing the faint presence of Armament Haki.
It was weak, barely there, but undeniably real. Yoriichi began channeling it into his defenses.
As for attacking? With his eyes still covered, there was no hope of countering Garp. For now, all he could do was endure.
But Garp noticed the change, he could feel it.
His grin widened.
"A terrifying talent... truly terrifying."
"Hahahahahaha!"
*********
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